Ecuador
My trip to Quito and the Galapagos Islands
I am continuing my quest for a place to retire and Ecuador was next on my list. Ecuador is a democratic country on the north western part of South America. It is a peaceful and stable country with US dollar as its currency and happy people as its citizens. It finds its way to the best places to retire list year after year. The place in Ecuador I chose was Quito , its capital and perched about 9000 ft above sea level and surrounded by multiple volcanoes. I also made a day trip to the Galapagos Islands since I was there anyway. The other expat dense city is Cuenca, but I chose to ignore it.
Quito day 1
My flight to Ecuador was on Friday night and I almost missed the flight due to the bay area traffic, something, fellow bay area residents, can appreciate. I had to park at the short term parking at the daily rate of $35.I flew into Quito airport from San Francisco with a stopover in my old stomping ground Panama City. I like to fly COPA airlines. It is a decent airline and much better than most of the American counterparts. They treat you well. I landed at Quito. Quito is more than 9000 ft ASL and the air was rarefied as I came out of the terminal. As I was a few hours ahead of checking time I decided to do one of the must do touristy chore before I checked in. A visit to the equatorial line.
I found a very enthusiastic guy at the information center who gave me specific bus directions to the Mitad. The taxi would cost 35 bucks but besides the cost, it was more fun to take the bus. ” Take the grey bus ($2) to terminal Carcelen then go to Ofelia and onto the bus marked Mitad de mundo both @ 25c each. (That is 2$50c instead of $35) Oh well, whats an hour and half if I can immerse in the local culture. Well the first leg had only gringos as company but the other two was the real stuff. I jumped off the bus at the monument.
Mitad de mundo
outside the airport 
waiting for the bus 
panama city 
on the way to the equator
The pyramid
surroundings
from far
So here we are at the monument mapping the equator. Actually this was made before the advent of the GPS. The actual line is a few meters away to the right marked by another museum INTINAN SOLAR MUSEUM but who cares. Walk around after paying $5 for entrance. It is worth it and takes 1 to 2 hrs. There are Banos, restaurants and gift stores something for everyone.
Hotel San Jose Puembo
From the equator I retraced by path back to the Aero Porto. Now I had to find my hotel which was at a town called Puembo . I took the bus again instead of the taxi. The bus ($1) dropped me at the roadside sign that said Puembo but my hotel was nowhere in sight and there was not any evidence of any city san couple of stores and a few pickup trucks. I went into one of the stores, bought a bottle of water (aqua) and asked where my hotel was. The lady and the man walked me over to a pick up truck (unmarked taxi) and off I went through the countryside until we reached the secluded yet wonderful hotel all for $4.
The hotel San Jose was set in luscious green grounds, the tranquil interrupted by occasional aviational sound. The front desk was a bit stiff though polite and I got settled in my room. There was nothing else close to the hotel so I went to the hotel restaurant. I enjoyed a scotch and beer and a wonderful dinner
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
This is not on my Bucket list per se. I created an alternate bucket list that was called Bucket list (peer pressure induced) I was in Ecuador and people are bound to yell at me if I did not make a trip to these islands. I was never too enamored by all the natural history stuff on the islands It is expensive to visit the Galapagos. The airfare to Quito from San Francisco (10 hr flight)was less than what I had to pay for a 2 hour flight to the Islands. On top of that there is a 20 dollar tax and a 100dollar park entrance’s fee. If you plan to fly from Quito be early in to the airport because there are a few extra steps of paying tax ( There are agents of tour who carry 20 odd passports each and it is like there are 60 people ahead of you as each passport have to be handled separately) checking for potential ecological poisons etc.
My visit, though enjoyable and the place being serene and beautiful ,did not change my lack of enchantment.
The flight by Avianca air was standard. We landed on this desolate island called Baltra island which appears to serve as an airport and nothing else although I saw a port later. The airport itself is cool and is a green airport. From the airport we were transported on a bus ($5) to the dock. The trip was all of 10 min through barren landscape. The ferry is about 5min to the island of Santa Cruz ($1) There is nothing except the Ferry at this end of the town and we have to take a taxi (share with 3 others at $6 each) waiting for the Bus might take for ever. The ride in the pickup truck was comfortable. The vegetation initially was grubby but into the highlands and past the town of Santa Rosa ,becomes luscious and tropical. A 45min ride takes to to the other end of the island and to the main town Puerto Ayora
Puerto Ayora
Our shared taxi drove into town and the cab driver dropped me off infront of my hotel. I checked in to my Hotel Nifna which was charming and adequate. After that I started my exploration of the town.
It is a nice town. The main drag is the Ave. Charles Darwin which has the monuments, market , the peer and the restaurants. It appeared touristy.
Charles Darwin research center
Tortuga bay santa cruz
It is a long walk be prepared as there is no services on the way. I was dehydrated in spite of my awareness and got cramps.
Night life
Food
Trip back
Quito day 2
Forthe first time in all these years, the flight took off, almost ½ hr before time, once they got all the passengers on board.Landing back in Quito I met my information guide again and he was again helpful. He told me to take the green bus to Rio Coca terminal.(2$) From there the big red bus, for 25c ,took me to my stop near Plaza Foch where my hotel was. As usual I enjoyed traveling the city public transportation. I walked to the hotel which was a small boutique hotel.
Hotel Joaquin
I spend two nights here . I have only good things to say about the hotel and the staff. It is a small charming place. It is in the Mariscal area,couple of blocks from the Plaza Foch. This could be a double edged sword. The pro being close to the heart of everything in the new cit. easy to get to anywhere either on foot, public transportation or cheap cab rides ($5 to Plaza Grande or telefriqo) ($25 to airport)but the con is that it is not in the best neighborhood though I never felt unsafe here even at night.
The hotel and their offerings are wonderful. The front desk staff speaks English and went out of the way to provide concierge services to me. The room was of a nice size, comfortable bed, good water supply, and quiet. (I did get a free upgrade without asking) The rates are reasonable. The free wifi was strong and easy to connect to. The free breakfast was adequate, filling and had verity including made to order eggs
I would consider this hotel excellent for the money and would return.
OLD TOWN
Took a taxi to the old town. Cost me 5 bucks. Started with the Basilica.
Basilica
You have to pay $2 to get in. It is the highest point in the old town so if you take a taxi go there first and then you can walk down to Plaza grande
Plaza Grande
Statue of virgin mary
Plaza fuch
Food and people
Quito Day 3
TelefriQo
This is the gondola into the sky. Quito is already above 9000 ft and the gondola ride takes up up another 4000 ft. I kept this ride for the last day to prevent any altitude sickness. I also took Motrin as prophylactic. Except for a slight lightheartedness I was fine. take a cab and you can share ride back usually $5. The ride was dazzling and worth the money $8.50 RT.
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